April Showers Bring... Ticks: Why the Wet Spring is Perfect for Encephalitis

Swiss Medical Services
Apr 20
3 min read

If you have been looking out your window in Prague this week, you have likely seen a lot of gray skies, chilly rain, and temperatures hovering around 5°C to 11°C. While this lingering wet weather might be dampening your mood and keeping your spring wardrobe in the closet, there is one local resident absolutely thriving in these conditions: the Czech tick.

Many expats assume that tick season only begins when the hot summer sun arrives. In reality, ticks love moisture. The high humidity and damp grass we are experiencing right now create the ultimate breeding ground.

As soon as the clouds finally part and we all rush to Stromovka or Petřín Hill to enjoy the sunshine, the ticks will be waiting. Here is why this wet spring makes it critical to think about the Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) vaccine right now.

1. Ticks Love the Damp and the Chilly

Ticks do not wait for a 25°C beach day. They become active the moment the ground temperature rises above 5°C. Furthermore, ticks are highly susceptible to drying out, which means they avoid direct, scorching sunlight and prefer humid, shaded, and damp environments.

The heavy April showers soaking the Czech forests, city parks, and riverbanks are providing ticks with the exact hydration they need to thrive and multiply. When you sit on a damp log or walk your dog through the wet, tall grass of a Prague park, you are walking directly through their prime habitat.

2. The Threat: Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE)

The Czech Republic consistently records some of the highest numbers of tick-borne infections in all of Europe. While Lyme disease is relatively well-known, TBE is often a blind spot for newly arrived expats.

Lyme Disease: A bacterial infection. If caught early, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics. (Note: There is no human vaccine for Lyme).
Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE): A viral infection that attacks the brain and central nervous system. It often begins with flu-like symptoms but can escalate to severe neurological complications, including paralysis or chronic fatigue. There is no cure or targeted treatment for TBE. Doctors can only manage the symptoms while your body tries to fight off the virus.

3. The Best Defense is Timing

Because there is no cure for TBE, your absolute best defense is the vaccine (očkování proti klíšťové encefalitidě). However, immunity does not happen overnight.

The standard vaccination schedule requires a series of doses to build full protection.

Dose 1: Given on the day of your appointment.
Dose 2: Given 1 to 3 months after the first dose (though an accelerated schedule can shorten this to 14 days during peak season).
Dose 3: Given 5 to 12 months after the second dose.

If you want to be protected by the time the warm May and June weather officially arrives and "chata" (cottage) season kicks into high gear, you need to get your first dose now.

Secure Your Spring Safely

Don't let a walk in the park turn into a medical emergency. At Swiss Medical Services, our English-speaking doctors and nurses can quickly administer the TBE vaccine and provide expert advice on safe tick-removal practices for you and your family.

While we wait for the Prague rain to finally stop, use this indoor time to get your preventative healthcare sorted.

📅 Beat the summer rush and protect yourself from TBE. Book your vaccination appointment today!

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